[Solved] How to make a UEFI install

[knightfury]

Installed OS:
Kernel: 4.4.0-53-generic x86_64 (64 bit)
Desktop: Cinnamon 3.2.7 Distro: Linux Mint 18.1 Serena

So this is the motherboard i purchased Gigabyte GA-H110M-S2 . The specification under BIOS option from the website says

1 x 64 Mbit flash
Use of licensed AMI UEFI BIOS
PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0

This was the bios settings before i installed mint- http://i.imgur.com/S8AoOBv.jpg [If i remember well i changed "Storage Boot Option Control" from Legacy to 'UEFI only' before installing.] First time i set the HDD to GPT partition table, then rebooted and installed and choose these partitions via the installed 1.EFI System Partition 2. Swap 3. / (Root) 4. /home and proceeded with the install. I got a "Force UEFI installation" in the next dialog for which i chose "Continue" option and installed Mint.

Code: Select all

cat /sys/firmware/efi/fw_platform_size

cat: /sys/firmware/efi/fw_platform_size: No such file or directory

Code: Select all

dpkg -l | grep grub-efi

No Output

Code: Select all

dpkg -l | grep grub-pc

ii grub-pc 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.2 amd64 GRand Unified Bootloader, version 2 (PC/BIOS version)
ii grub-pc-bin 2.02~beta2-36ubuntu3.2 amd64 GRand Unified Bootloader, version 2 (PC/BIOS binaries)

Code: Select all

ls /sys/firmware/efi/

ls: cannot access '/sys/firmware/efi/': No such file or directory

No contents in /boot/efi either.

So it looks like it is installed in legacy mode. Why wasn't it installed in UEFI mode ? how to install it in UEFI mode?

PS: will be mult-ibooting with GPT regardless of the mode.

[Laurent85]

Restoring bios settings to default values should enable UEFI.

Before installing check folder /sys/firmware/efi/ exists in the live session.

[jimallyn]

Tutorial on UEFI installs. Written for 8/8.1, but applies to 10 also.

viewtopic.php?t=163126

[fabien85]

Before installing check folder /sys/firmware/efi/ exists in the live session.

Indeed, it's possible you booted the live media in Legacy mode.
Anyway you can later convert the install to UEFI mode by installing grub-efi, or refind

[austin.texas]

Or, you can chose to install in Legacy mode to your GPT partitioned hard drive. (assuming that you don't have Windows installed in UEFI mode)
Tutorial: Install in Legacy mode to GPT Partitions

[knightfury]

After checking the manual i found that the UEFI CSM(compatibility support module-to support a legacy PC boot process.) is enabled by default. Had to set the "windows 8/10 Features" item to Windows 8/10 option ( though i don't have any windows installed) which unlocks the options for CSM ( as this setting was hidden ), after which i was able to make an UEFI install. Thank you all.